The Cuban government plans to install 40 solar stations for electric cars before 2026
Cimex Corporation, on behalf of the Cuban government, presented an ambitious project to install 40 solar stations for charging electric cars throughout the country before 2026.
According to Armando Isaac Ananias Laffitte, logistics vice president of Cimex, during the III International Fair of Transport and Logistics (FITL 2025), these stations will not be connected to the National Electric System and will operate independently thanks to photovoltaic energy, reported the official newspaper Granma.
The initiative will be implemented in four stages, with a total infrastructure occupying 2,000 square meters of solar panels, capable of generating up to 24,000 kWh daily and storing 8,000 kWh. This would allow for the charging of approximately 800 vehicles per day, including medium and large cars.
The first ten stations will be located in Havana (La Dominica, Cimex, and El Cano), Mayabeque (km 79 of the National Highway), Matanzas (Varadero), Cienfuegos (km 177), Villa Clara (km 259 and Cayo Santa María), Sancti Spíritus (km 336), and Ciego de Ávila (Cayo Coco), clearly situated in the main tourist hotspots of the country, which makes it evident who this proposal is aimed at.
The structures will be made of carbon steel, with a lifespan of over 25 years, and equipped with an intelligent management and real-time monitoring system that will control parameters such as voltage, temperature, power, and charge status.
The operating model includes the use of an electronic card to access the service. This card can be recharged digitally or at physical locations and will require prior registration of the vehicle with its VIN code.
The stations will have the capacity for 32 vehicles under shade, and it is estimated that in just 15 minutes a car can reach 80% charge.
Jimmy Mateu, Director of Energy and Transport at Cimex, stated that the first station will be operational in the second half of 2025. He also clarified that, for now, electric motorcycles are not included in the plan due to the fire risk associated with their use.
The project is coordinated with the Fire Department and other authorities to ensure safety, and it includes technical training for workers and guaranteed maintenance of all components, including solar panels, batteries, and infrastructure.
For several years, the Cuban government has begun exploring options to mitigate the energy crisis by incorporating electric vehicles, in what seems to be a gradual yet persistent strategy.
In 2023, the foreign company Finauto International, the official distributor of Kia Motors in Cuba, announced the sale of Chinese electric cars with prices ranging from 9,000 to 12,000 euros.
These vehicles, primarily aimed at the emerging private sector, were showcased during the II Local Development Fair at Expocuba, highlighting their autonomy of up to 200 km and their LiFePO4 lithium battery.
A year earlier, the Cuban government announced new measures to encourage the use of electric vehicles in the country, specifically by removing price controls on this type of transportation and exempting importers from tariff payments.
The proposal aimed to promote the importation of components and equipment related to electric mobility. These actions reflected an attempt to reduce dependence on fossil fuels in a context of severe energy constraints.
In July 2022, a European company expressed interest in establishing an electric car assembly plant on the island. According to statements from a representative of the business group to the newspaper Escambray, it was a foreign investment aimed at producing electric vehicles that could be adapted to the conditions of the Cuban market.
At that moment, it was mentioned that the project aimed to promote the development of sustainable energy solutions and contribute to modernizing the national automotive fleet, which had deteriorated significantly after decades of intensive use and limited renewal.
Frequently asked questions about solar stations for electric cars in Cuba
What does the Cuban government propose with the project for solar stations for electric cars?
The Cuban government plans to install 40 solar stations for the charging of electric cars across the country before 2026. These stations will operate autonomously using photovoltaic energy, without connection to the National Electric System.
Where will the first solar stations in Cuba be located?
The first ten stations will be located in Havana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, and Ciego de Ávila. These locations coincide with important tourist hubs, suggesting that the project is primarily aimed at tourists rather than the general population.
What is the load capacity and operational efficiency of these solar stations?
These stations will be able to charge approximately 800 vehicles per day and in just 15 minutes a car will be able to reach 80% charge. The structures will be made of carbon steel and will have a lifespan of over 25 years.
What challenges does Cuba face in its transition to renewable energy?
Cuba is facing a severe energy crisis characterized by prolonged blackouts and an obsolete system that relies on imported fossil fuels. Despite efforts to implement renewable energy, the lack of batteries for energy storage and a poorly managed electrical system significantly limit the impact of these projects.